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Sabtu, 24 Mei 2014

Purdue Fulbright Association

If it wasn’t because of the Fulbright scholarship, I
wouldn’t be here. Yeah, being a Fulbrighter means that you have a privilege to
have this amazing experience of studying here in the USA. Then again, being a
Fulbrighter does not mean that you only ave to stuck with studying stuff. One
of the thing that I find really nice, is that here in Purdue, we also have a
Fulbright Association.

It’s not something uncommon for universities here to
have this kind of Fulbright Association. Then again, not all universities have
it. Luckily, we have PFA, Purdue Fulbright Association here. I found that this
association has helped me a lot with so many things, not to mention that I meet
some good friends here.

The first time that I come in contact with PFA, was
when I was still in my Pre Academic Program in UC Davis. Baiba, the President
of PFA, sent me a message to welcome me to Purdue. She even offered to pick me
up by the day I arrived in Purdue. And at the second day, she even helped me
and some other friends to go to Walmart to buy some basic stuffs.

So basically, PFA is a student association in Purdue,
mainly aimed to facilitate communication between people who are related to
Fulbright in Purdue. Not just students who are currently having the grant, but
also Fulbright alumni, or people who are interested in the Fulbright program.

At the beginning of the semester, PFA has a formal
reception for the new incoming students. We also had a campus tour, where some
of the seniors led us for a walk around the campus, showing us places around
the campus.

Throughout the semester, PFA has a bi-weekly coffee
hour, where we would sit together just to relax and have a light chat about
what’s happening in life. We also have monthly dinner, but sometimes instead of
just having dinner, we have some other fun activities. We did pumpkin carving,
ice skating, bowling…

It’s a nice organization, really. Not too formal that
you feel awkward to join, instead you’re actually making friends through this
organization.

Ngeeeniweeeiii… before I continue, let me just tell you
something about me. Somehow, I always have a lack of confidence in my social
ability. Like, seriously, I am not a very social person anyway. In fact, I
always consider myself to be socially awkward. I don’t like doing public
speaking, and always get terribly nervous whenever I have to do it.

So when PFA Board 2013 sent an e-mail, announcing that
they are opening the application to be members of PFA Bpard 2014, I was in
doubt.

On one hand, I was really unsure whether I can do that.
But then again, I know that maybe by joining this organization I can actually
help myself on my social skills.

In 2014, the PFA board has 5 members. Baiba, from
Latvia as the president, Gulcin (from Turkey) as the Vice President, Timo (from
Germany) as the treasurer, Ularee (from Thailand) as the Outreach Officer, and
me. My position? Communication Officer.

Jiaaaahhhh… So basically, I am in charge
of…communicating. Isn’t it obvious?

Me and Ularee were in charge to organize the Bowling
night, while Timo and Gulcin organized the picnic. The bowling night actually
became a bit messy, because we didn’t expect so many people would join us. We
estimated an event for about 12-15 people, and we ended up having almost 30
people showing up. But still, it was super fuuunnnn… :D

PFA Bowling Night

Me and Gulcin at the Bowling Night

Ignacio in action

The picnic was also a fun one. Especially because it was when we were starting to have gorgeous warm days of Spring after the long winter. There are plenty of good food, and it was a very nice break from studying before the finals.

such a glorious sunny day

picture of a picture. Me, David, and Mariana

see that sweets on the left? it's just so good!

more food...

can we just start eating? good weather is good for your appetite

And our biggest event? PFA Farewell Dinner. To be
completely honest, maybe organizing this event was even a little bit…stressful.
Anyway, despite all the tensions and this and that, we finally made it. The PFA
Farewell Dinner went successfully.

seneng dengan foto ini karena saya jadi paling cantik sendiri :p

It was such a relief that we finally made it. And in
fact, it was a nice event indeed. It’s a formal dinner to celebrate the
Fulbrighters who graduate in Spring. And because it’s a formal occasion, we had
some VIP guests (which made me and some other a bit nervous, actually).

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Sabtu, 24 Mei 2014

Purdue Fulbright Association

If it wasn’t because of the Fulbright scholarship, I
wouldn’t be here. Yeah, being a Fulbrighter means that you have a privilege to
have this amazing experience of studying here in the USA. Then again, being a
Fulbrighter does not mean that you only ave to stuck with studying stuff. One
of the thing that I find really nice, is that here in Purdue, we also have a
Fulbright Association.

It’s not something uncommon for universities here to
have this kind of Fulbright Association. Then again, not all universities have
it. Luckily, we have PFA, Purdue Fulbright Association here. I found that this
association has helped me a lot with so many things, not to mention that I meet
some good friends here.

The first time that I come in contact with PFA, was
when I was still in my Pre Academic Program in UC Davis. Baiba, the President
of PFA, sent me a message to welcome me to Purdue. She even offered to pick me
up by the day I arrived in Purdue. And at the second day, she even helped me
and some other friends to go to Walmart to buy some basic stuffs.

So basically, PFA is a student association in Purdue,
mainly aimed to facilitate communication between people who are related to
Fulbright in Purdue. Not just students who are currently having the grant, but
also Fulbright alumni, or people who are interested in the Fulbright program.

At the beginning of the semester, PFA has a formal
reception for the new incoming students. We also had a campus tour, where some
of the seniors led us for a walk around the campus, showing us places around
the campus.

Throughout the semester, PFA has a bi-weekly coffee
hour, where we would sit together just to relax and have a light chat about
what’s happening in life. We also have monthly dinner, but sometimes instead of
just having dinner, we have some other fun activities. We did pumpkin carving,
ice skating, bowling…

It’s a nice organization, really. Not too formal that
you feel awkward to join, instead you’re actually making friends through this
organization.

Ngeeeniweeeiii… before I continue, let me just tell you
something about me. Somehow, I always have a lack of confidence in my social
ability. Like, seriously, I am not a very social person anyway. In fact, I
always consider myself to be socially awkward. I don’t like doing public
speaking, and always get terribly nervous whenever I have to do it.

So when PFA Board 2013 sent an e-mail, announcing that
they are opening the application to be members of PFA Bpard 2014, I was in
doubt.

On one hand, I was really unsure whether I can do that.
But then again, I know that maybe by joining this organization I can actually
help myself on my social skills.

In 2014, the PFA board has 5 members. Baiba, from
Latvia as the president, Gulcin (from Turkey) as the Vice President, Timo (from
Germany) as the treasurer, Ularee (from Thailand) as the Outreach Officer, and
me. My position? Communication Officer.

Jiaaaahhhh… So basically, I am in charge
of…communicating. Isn’t it obvious?

Me and Ularee were in charge to organize the Bowling
night, while Timo and Gulcin organized the picnic. The bowling night actually
became a bit messy, because we didn’t expect so many people would join us. We
estimated an event for about 12-15 people, and we ended up having almost 30
people showing up. But still, it was super fuuunnnn… :D

PFA Bowling Night

Me and Gulcin at the Bowling Night

Ignacio in action

The picnic was also a fun one. Especially because it was when we were starting to have gorgeous warm days of Spring after the long winter. There are plenty of good food, and it was a very nice break from studying before the finals.

such a glorious sunny day

picture of a picture. Me, David, and Mariana

see that sweets on the left? it's just so good!

more food...

can we just start eating? good weather is good for your appetite

And our biggest event? PFA Farewell Dinner. To be
completely honest, maybe organizing this event was even a little bit…stressful.
Anyway, despite all the tensions and this and that, we finally made it. The PFA
Farewell Dinner went successfully.

seneng dengan foto ini karena saya jadi paling cantik sendiri :p

It was such a relief that we finally made it. And in
fact, it was a nice event indeed. It’s a formal dinner to celebrate the
Fulbrighters who graduate in Spring. And because it’s a formal occasion, we had
some VIP guests (which made me and some other a bit nervous, actually).